Tuesday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 9:36-38
36 There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor. 37 About this time she became ill and died. Her body was washed for burial and laid in an upstairs room. 38 But the believers had heard that Peter was nearby at Lydda, so they sent two men to beg him, “Please come as soon as possible!”
36 There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor. 37 About this time she became ill and died. Her body was washed for burial and laid in an upstairs room. 38 But the believers had heard that Peter was nearby at Lydda, so they sent two men to beg him, “Please come as soon as possible!”
Commentary:
9:36 Joppa was on the coast, 11 miles (18 km) northwest of Lydda. The port city of Joppa (modern Jaffa/Yafa, just south of Tel Aviv) was captured by the Jewish Hasmoneans (2nd century b.c.) and contained a substantial Jewish population prior to the First Jewish Revolt (a.d. 66–73). Excavations under portions of the modern city have revealed evidence of first-century residences and an early fortress.
9:38 Hearing that Peter was there reflects an understanding that an unusual level of the Holy Spirit’s power was present in the apostles.
9:38 Hearing that Peter was there reflects an understanding that an unusual level of the Holy Spirit’s power was present in the apostles.
Questions:
- Joppa, where Tabitha lived and had passed away, was a 4-5 hour walk from Lydda, where Peter was. The women in Tabitha's community did what women would do when someone died; the prepared her body for burial. But before they put her in the ground, someone had a thought. "Isn't Peter in Lydda? What if...?" At this point in history there is no indication that someone praying and bringing someone back from the dead was a common occurrence. They had probably heard stories of Jesus raising the dead, but they really had no reason to expect that Peter could do it. These ladies were believing for the impossible. What about you? Do you believe God for the impossible? Or do you tend to put limits on what you will and won't ask God to do? Why do you think that is?
- It was considered a sign of respect in those days to bury the dead quickly. So to wait on Peter to come, they were risking Tabitha's dignity. They'd also be risking their own reputations and would look pretty foolish if Peter wouldn't come or if no miracle was performed. Sometimes in order to trust God in our lives or to be obedient we must risk our own reputation or be willing to risk looking bad in front of people. When was the last time you took a risk for God at your own expense? Are you willing to look foolish for Him?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would trust God for the impossible.
- That you'd be willing to take risks for Him.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
7. How can I trust that the Bible is still God’s Word today? I trust the Bible is still God’s Word today because Jesus rose from the dead, proving He was God and said His words would never pass away. Through the Holy Spirit, God inspired the writing of the Scripture, determined the canon of Scripture and protected the copying of Scripture so that we might know Him and worship Him to this day.
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
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